[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER JUUGA VS KAMEN RIDER ORTECA - EPISODE 2

This episode tries very hard to create one, though. God, does it ever. Between the Epic Duel at the climax of the episode, and the Frenemy song that soundtracks it, and the whole We?re Destined To Do This Forever capper, there?s an overabundance of work to make Juuga/Orteca either the next Superman/Luthor, or maybe just Daiji/Kagerou. The end of this episode really only works if you see George and Orteca as reflections of each other, fated to fight against the person who knows them best.

I guess people like Layton already explained well between their rivalry and I think it's worth considering. Otherwise, seems that while George is firmly being good, like objecting to science being used to trample humanity, he still has some darkness remaining, with him sorta doing some pay evil unto evil by twisting the knife further on Sho Takada's issues, of him wanting to be acknowledged, and to Orteca as well for making him more miserable by showing the Drive couple's love. He also seems to make light of Orteca's rampage and breakout later due to Juuga.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I just? no? No, that all seems like an invention of this two-parter, not something that is the realization of longform storytelling. Like, Orteca vs Over Demons? Sure! Best scene in this episode is Tamaki confronting Orteca at a department store, and sort of laughing at Orteca?s inability to grow or change in any interesting way. Them two having a blow-off to Orteca?s lazy villainy and Tamaki?s eventual heroism? That would be a hilarious and affecting idea for a TTFC. This is? I mean, it?s funny, but it never really got me to feel anything.

I'd be relieved that Orteca is shown to be unable to grow or change, because my worry was about him getting his redemption with this special, in general when he was brought back instead of dying at Giff's hands. Otherwise, Tamaki's grudge on Orteca seems to be softened here, with Tamaki, after declaring main Rider's phrase of protecting smiles, immediately throws hands to Orteca when they meet again before.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

It is cute and funny, though, in a minor way. The various Drive references; the reveal that Otta?s secret girlfriend is just a perpetually needy Hiromi; Hana creating the Neo Deadmans just to humiliate Orteca; the series-long recurring gag of Daddy creating utterly preventable problems for everyone but him, and our heroes having to put a positive spin on it anyway. It?s not hysterical, but it?s reasonably fun.

So this'd be the reason of Orteca "winning" over people with his charms of being set up by Aguilera, or Sho Takada actually wanting to use him as a pawn, but ofc it backfires with Orteca being a sociopath thus not a reliable ally that can backstab you. He wins over Rinna regardless, and Rinna also seems to be more concerned about her work's capability in the battle between Orteca and Juuga, rather than Makoto being an evil bastard that can use it for bad. Their showdown feels weak, for a Rider meant to surpass something like Ultimate Kuuga...